While councils around Britain are dimming their street lights because they can't afford to keep the electricity on, Westminster City Council is splashing out a hefty £1.2 million to spruce theirs up.

The council though has batted away criticism for spending taxpayers' cash on maintaining the 44 160-year-old posts that line the Thames embankment, saying the law demands it keeps them in tip top condition.

But it says it will try to get Heritage Lottery funding to take the pressure off.

The historic poles have been called the 'dolphin lampposts' and 'sturgeons' for their distinctive fish ornaments and many think they should be protected.

But Westminster's Labour opposition said the council should have applied for this money much earlier..

The party says the spending left a sour taste as other programmes, such as funding for youth clubs has been axed by the council.

The council had to spend out on converting the posts from gas lamps, to LED lights seven years ago.

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The lamp posts along the embankment are truly historic. This picture dates all the way back to 1929 (Image: Fox Photos/Getty Images))

"Our main issue is that at a time of declining public finance and continual cuts to front line services, the Conservatives have given higher priority to repainting lamp posts rather than investing in services for young people and the vulnerable," Labour's environment and city management spokesman, Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg said.

"We think that this is shameful and believe that the vast majority of Westminster residents would agree with us."

But Westminster said the spend, which covered a period of two years and included replacing the LED lights, grit-blasting George John Vulliamy's cast-iron Victorian lamp columns back to the bare metal, and repairing and repainting them, was unavoidable.

"The Victoria Embankment Sturgeons lamp columns are Grade II-listed and 160 years old," the council spokesman said. "They are an important part of London’s cultural heritage and we have a legal responsibility to keep them in good condition for future generations.

These improvement works are vital if they are to remain part of the Embankment for many more years to come.”